How to Choose the Right Dumpster Size

Large black Cali Carting dumpster being delivered in residential neighborhood

There is no ‘one size fits all’ option when looking to rent a dumpster. There are many different factors that will determine which dumpster size is best for your waste removal project, including the type of waste, the amount of waste, the weight of the waste, and your budget. Learn more about the different dumpster sizes below to help guide your dumpster rental decision.

Common Dumpster Rental Sizes

Before choosing the right size, you need to know what the size options are. Dumpsters for rent typically come in four sizes: 10, 20, 30, and 40-yard capacities. These sizes are measured in cubic yards, which measures how much volume they can hold. Below are the lengths, widths, and heights of each size dumpster we have for rent at Cali Carting (in feet):

If you do not know how many cubic yards of waste your product is going to generate, don’t sweat it! Below we have outlined many common uses for each dumpster size.

Determining The Best Roll Off Dumpster Size For Your Project

Choosing the right size dumpster is largely dependent on the type of home renovation project you are undertaking and the type of waste it produces. For example, roof shingles can fit a lot more waste into a container, given their conformity in shape and size. But, if your project generates a lot of heavy waste, like concrete, you may need a larger sized dumpster. Find your project below to get a better idea of what size dumpster will be right for you:

10 Yard Dumpster

Because it is our smallest dumpster, our 10-yard container is most commonly associated with smaller projects that do not produce much debris. We estimate that our 10-yard dumpster can carry about 3 truckloads worth of waste. Some of the most common projects our customers use a 10-yard dumpster for include:

  • General household cleanouts/spring cleaning
  • Garage, basement, or attic cleanouts
  • Small interior renovations, like a kitchen or bathroom remodeling
  • Dirt/concrete removals
  • Smaller deck removals (250 square feet)
  • Single-layer roof shingle removal (1,500 square feet)
  • Yard cleanup

20 Yard Dumpster

Our 20-yard dumpster is one of our most popular rental sizes. This is because they hold a large amount of debris and are more cost-effective compared to larger sized dumpsters. We estimate that our 20-yard dumpster holds the equivalent of 6 truckloads of debris. Common uses of our 20-yard dumpster include:

  • Larger basement, garage, or attic cleanouts
  • Flooring/carpet removal for larger homes
  • Larger deck removals (300 to 400 square feet)
  • Larger single layer roof shingle removal (2,500 to 3,000 square feet)
  • Larger interior renovations (ex: bedroom remodels)
  • Large landscaping jobs

30 Yard Dumpster

Those who rent our 30-yard dumpster are often completing a large home remodeling project or a new home construction project. Our 30-yard dumpsters can hold about 9 truckloads of waste and debris. Many customers choose to rent this size dumpster for:

  • A large remodeling project, for example, a major home addition
  • New home construction
  • Garage demolition
  • Pool removals
  • Whole-home cleanouts
  • Deck removals larger than 400 square feet

40 Yard Dumpster

Our 40-yard container is our largest dumpster. This size should be rented only when you have excessive amounts of waste, as it can hold about 12 truckloads of debris. It is often rented for commercial uses. Some additional common uses for this size include:

  • Commercial roofing project
  • Residential or commercial demolition 
  • Commercial landscaping and excavating
  • Large water and fire remediation projects
  • Major interior renovations
  • Roof replacements
  • Community cleanup events

How to Rent a Dumpster in New Jersey

For those looking to rent a dumpster in New Jersey, trust “The Man With The Can” at Cali Carting! We have been serving New Jersey for over 35 years, making us the experts for all of your waste management and recycling needs. If you are still unsure about which size dumpster is the best fit for your project, do not hesitate to contact us today at: (201) 991-5400. Our team will be happy to learn more about your project and get a dumpster to you by the next day guaranteed. 

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